Related Experiment Videos
[Experiences with ritual circumcision in Norway].
Sigmund Vaage1, Ilker Tasdemir, Odd Maehlum
1Sentralsjukehuset i Rogaland 4968 Stavanger. si-vaage@online.no
Summary
Ritual circumcision for Muslim boys in Norway is increasingly common, with less than half of newborns circumcised locally. The study recommends focusing on newborns or older boys for this practice.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Cultural Practices
Background:
- Investigating the prevalence and methods of ritual circumcision for Muslim boys in Norway.
- Understanding the local practices of a significant cultural and religious group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey the extent and practice of ritual circumcision performed locally for boys born to Muslim parents in Norway.
- To assess the current trends and provide recommendations for future practice.
Main Methods:
- Data collection on ritual circumcisions performed in outpatient departments in Rogaland and Troms counties, Norway.
- Registration of newborn boys with Muslim parents during the study period.
- Categorization of circumcised boys by age group: newborns, 1-10 years, and above 10 years.
Main Results:
- In 1999, 24% of Muslim boys were circumcised; this rose to 48% in 2000.
- Circumcision for boys aged 1-10 years is significantly more time-consuming (10x) than for newborns or older boys.
- An estimated 672 boys are born to Muslim parents annually in Norway.
Conclusions:
- Less than 50% of newborns with Muslim parents undergo local outpatient circumcision.
- Recommendations include restricting ritual circumcision to newborns or boys over ten.
- Emphasizes the need for informed written consent for circumcisions performed on boys over ten years old.